A South Florida man faces up to a decade behind bars after authorities discovered he had transported a lethal stockpile of weapons—including a booby-trapped rifle—across state lines on an Amtrak train.
At a Glance
- Jeffrey Owen Kennerk caught with arsenal aboard Amtrak in New Jersey
- Abandoned suitcase at Newark Penn Station tied to dangerous firearms
- Loaded weapons included a rigged rifle that fired on its own
- Kennerk now indicted and faces up to 10 years in prison
Arsenal Uncovered on Northeast Transit
Jeffrey O. Kennerk, 34, of Fort Lauderdale, was arrested in Trenton after being identified as the individual who abandoned a zebra-striped suitcase filled with weapons at Newark Penn Station. According to FOX 29 Philadelphia, the bag contained an alarming cache including a booby-trapped rifle, hollow-point ammunition, silencers, and other firearm components. Surveillance footage helped police track Kennerk’s movements and led to his apprehension at Trenton Transit Center.
Authorities were stunned to find that one of the weapons—a modified rifle—was rigged to fire without trigger engagement. During a police search, it discharged unexpectedly, confirming its dangerous tampering. Investigators described the weaponry as an “arsenal,” underscoring the threat posed to both passengers and bystanders.
Watch FOX 29’s coverage of the incident at Booby-Trapped Rifle Found on Amtrak.
Booby Trap Raises Stakes
Officials say the situation could have ended in mass tragedy if not for rapid intervention. New Jersey Attorney General Matthew Platkin stated the weapons “could have harmed countless people” and praised officers for identifying and neutralizing the threat. In a statement to Local 10 News, Platkin emphasized the seriousness of the case: “We can only imagine where this defendant and these weapons would have ended up.”
NJ TRANSIT Police Chief Christopher Trucillo credited his officers for quickly noticing the suspicious luggage and coordinating with other law enforcement to intercept Kennerk before he could board another train. “The collective actions of law enforcement eliminated the possible carnage,” he said.
Indictment and Legal Fallout
Kennerk has been indicted on multiple weapons-related charges, including aggravated assault and unlawful possession of firearms. He now faces a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison and significant fines if convicted. As detailed by ABC News, prosecutors are also pursuing charges related to endangering public transportation and illegally modifying firearms.
Deputy Attorney General Karen Bracizewsk will lead the prosecution, and officials are making it clear that similar acts will be met with zero tolerance. Kennerk’s defense has claimed he boarded the wrong train, but the court has yet to weigh that assertion.
The case is a stark reminder of the critical role law enforcement plays in detecting threats before disaster strikes—and of the enduring risks posed by illegal weapons trafficking across state lines.
